The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

410 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
Parents have flinty hearts! No tears can move them.
OTWAY.
WHEN Alice Bridgenorth at length entered the parlour where her anxious
lover had so long expected her, it was with a slow step, and a composed
manner. I-er dress was arranged with an accurate attention to form, which
at once enhanced the appearance of its puritanic simplicity, and struck
Julian as a bad omen; for although the time bestowed upon the toilet may,
in many cases, intimate the wish to appear advantageously at such an interview, yet a ceremonious arrangement of attire is very much allied with
formality, and a preconceived determination to treat a lover with cold
politeness.
The sad-coloured gown -the pinched and plaited cap, which carefuilly
obscured the profusion of long dark-brown hair- the small ruff, and the
long sleeves, would have appeared to great disadvantage on a shape less
graceful than Alice Bridgenorth's; but an exquisite form, though not, as
yet, sufficiently rounded in the outlines to produce the perfection of female
beauty, was able to sustain and give grace even to this unbecoming dress.
Her countenance, fair and delicate, with eyes of hazel, and a brow of alabaster, had, notwithstanding, less regular beauty than her form, and might
have been justly subjected to criticism. There was, however, a life and
spirit in her gaiety, and a depth of sentiment in her gravity, which made
Alice, in conversation with the very few persons with whom she associated,
so fascinating in her manners and expression, whether of language or
countenance- so touching, also, in her simplicity and purity of thought,
that brighter beauties might have been overlooked in her company. It was
no wonder, therefore, that an ardent character like Julian, influenced by
these charms, as well as by the secrecy and mystery attending his intercourse with Alice, should prefer the recluse of the Black Fort to all others
with whom he had become acquainted in general society.
His heart beat high as she came into the apartment, and it was almost
without an attempt to speak that his profound obeisance acknowledged her
entrance.
" This is a mockery, Master Peveril," said Alice, with an effort to speak
firmly, which yet was disconcerted by a slightly tremulous inflection of
voice-"a mockery, and a cruel one. You come to this lone place, inhabited only by two women, too simple to command your absence-too weak
to enforce it -you come, in spite of my earnest request- to the neglect of
your own time -to the prejudice, I may fear, of my character-you abuse
the influence you possess over the simple person to whom I am intrusted -
All this you do, and think to make it up by low reverences and constrained
courtesy! Is this honourable, or is it fair? — Is it," she added, after a
moment's hesitation - "is it kind?"
The tremulous accent fell especially on the last word she uttered, and it
was spoken in a low tone of gentle reproaoh, which went to Julian's heart.
" If," said he, " there was a mode by which, at the peril of my life, Alice,
I could show my regard-my respect-my devoted tenderness-the danger
would'be dearer to me than ever was pleasure."
"You have said such things often," said Alice, "and they are such as I
ought not to hear, and do not desire to hear. I have no tasks to impose on
you-no enemies to be destroyed-no' need or desire of protection-no wish,
Heaven knows, to expose you to danger -It is your visits here alone to
which danger attaches. You have but to rule your own wilful temper- to